SIGNIS Africa Discusses Church Communication Structures In Rwanda

July 19, 2022272 views0

SIGNIS Africa Discusses Church Communication Structures In Rwanda

2022-07-19T11:12:34+01:00

By Church News

The members of SIGNIS-Africa Congress and Assembly of Delegates gathered as Catholic communication professionals in Kigali, Rwanda as they deliberated on the theme: “Communication, Synodality and Church in Africa.”The theme which stemmed from the ongoing synodal path of the universal Church announced by Pope Francis is a process rooted in the path of communion, the active participation and collaboration of all Christians in the mission of saving souls and achieving eternal salvation.The focus of the Assembly was to outline viable ways to encourage unity in the journey of faith on the African continent through various means of communication and the event was attended by participants from various African countries.The newly re-elected SIGNIS Africa President, Fr. Prof. Walter Ihejirika in his speech said, “In the spirit of Synodality, all Catholic communication structures in Africa need to make it their priority to introspect and bring about a more inclusive and participatory Church. This also means bringing more women and young people on board our governance structures.”In his address, Bishop Badejo stated that the ongoing Universal Church Synod on Synodality is a communication project that challenges media professionals in Africa to devise practical ways to give a voice to those marginalized by some of our ecclesiastical structures and in society in general.Delegates were further enlightened on the need to see the media as a true and viable evangelization tool, the effective use of which will help the Church fulfil its missionary mandates.In the various sessions and presentations, the participants were enlightened on the worrying realities of the division in the African continent that has had catastrophic consequences that adversely affect the well-being of God’s people.Several persons and organizations were recognized at the event for their contributions to the growth of Catholic communications in Africa. The two posthumous awards went to Zambian Bishop Moses Hamungole, who once served as SIGNIS Africa President. Msgr. Ralph Madu, the former Secretary General at Nigeria’s Catholic Secretariat, was also honoured posthumously for contributions when he worked in the ambit of social communications.ALSO READ Sinach Joins Grammy Recording Academy As Voting Member